Group demands probe into use of security funds
The pressure group, has asked President Goodluck Jonathan's administration to account for the allocation of funds for security amid concern forces were not adequately funded to fight terror.
According to a statement signed by its Chairman, Jasper Iyke Azuatalam, the group said Nigerians deserved to know how "huge" amount of money allocated for defense and security have been spent under his government.
“There is urgent need for President Goodluck Jonathan and his government to give detailed account of security allocations over these years that he has piloted and supervised the affairs of Nigeria as the President and Commander in Chief of the Armed forces. The best time to do so is now,” he said.
The group added that the rampaging insurgence in the country and revelations government requested $1 billion loan to fund the war against terror warranted a probe.
Azuatalam said a few days ago, Minister of State for Defense, Musiliu Obanikoro, revealed that the government had not made major acquisitions of equipment, ammunition and platforms for the country’s armed forces in the past 25 years.
"Such revelation from a serving Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is coming after the government allocated and spent N92,21 billion ($5,9478 billion) in 2012 from the 2012 national budget."
It is said in 2013, the Government allocated and spent about N950 billion on national security purposes.
This, according to the pressure group, comprised N320 billion for the police, and N364 billion for the Armed Forces, N115 billion for the Office of the NSA, and N154 billion for the Ministry of the Interior.
A breakdown of the 2014 budget also shows that the President Jonathan's government allocated N968,127 billion for Defense and Security representing about 20 percent of the entire national budget.
According to Aazuatalam, it was "unbelievable" that government claimed it was ill-equipped in fighting terror.
“We are left to wonder what this huge amount of money has been used for, over these years,” he said.